Clinical experiences lands OT grad rewarding job placement

Erin McAleer, a 2019 graduate of Alvernia University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, grew up in Wantagh, N.Y., attending St. William the Abbot School. Immediately following her graduation, McAleer accepted a position as an occupational therapist in a local school district and will remain in Reading.

“My degree and experiences at Alvernia helped me to get my job working as an OT in a school district,” she said.

McAleer’s initial search included colleges that had a 5-year accelerated master’s program in occupational therapy, but the visit to campus changed everything.

“I decided to stop by Alvernia and it instantly felt like home,” she said.

Campus life is full of interesting options and McAleer took full advantage of many.

McAleer joined the Student Government Association in the senate and eventually landed on the executive board. She also participated as an orientation weekend leader, president of Pi Theta Epsilon (OT honor society), bible study leader with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, and worked in the office of student activities. She also attended an alternative break to Tennessee, participated in the Assisi Pilgrimage to Italy, and attended and led the Search retreat.

“Alvernia has so many registered student organizations based on so many different interests," she said. "It is easy to feel overwhelmed starting college, but getting involved can help you to establish a routine, find like-minded people, and create lifelong friendships."


Part of her education experience included a real-world learning OT/Nursing trip to Dingle, Ireland, to learn about similarities and differences between healthcare in various cultures. McAleer accomplished all of this while remaining on the Dean’s List for 10 consecutive semesters.

“My time at Alvernia helped me to grow exponentially in so many ways," she said. "I grew in friendships, mentorships, leadership skills and of course my abilities as an occupational therapy practitioner. My out of classroom experiences also helped to grow many of the skills I currently use including collegiality and humility. My fieldwork placements on Long Island in an outpatient hand therapy clinic and local school district helped to bridge my classroom learning with my clinical experience.”